The key hormones in women’s health: How they shape your daily life

Table of contents

1. What are hormones and what role do they play in women’s health?

2. What does oestrogen do in the female body?

3. Progesterone and its role in women’s health

4. Testosterone in women: why it matters

5. Thyroid hormones and the female metabolism

6. Cortisol and stress: how they affect women’s health

7. Insulin and female hormones

8. LH and FSH: understanding fertility hormones

9. In summary

What are hormones and what role do they play in women’s health?

Hormones are messengers that carry signals from one part of your body to another. They’re produced in your hormone glands, such as the ovaries, thyroid, and adrenal glands. Through your bloodstream, they regulate countless processes - from mood and sleep to fertility and metabolism. When your hormones are balanced, you feel energetic, clear, and stable. But stress, poor sleep, undereating, overexercising, or major life changes such as puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can disrupt that balance. That’s why understanding your hormones is so important for your overall health.

Fun fact: The word hormone comes from the Greek hormōn, meaning “to set in motion.” And that’s exactly what they do in your body.

What does oestrogen do in the female body?

Oestrogen is the best-known female hormone. Together with progesterone, LH, and FSH, it regulates your menstrual cycle, supports fertility, strengthens your bones, and keeps your skin supple. There are three main types of oestrogen:

• Oestradiol (dominant during the reproductive years)

• Oestrone (more prevalent after menopause)

• Oestriol (rises during pregnancy)

Did you know? During pregnancy, your oestrogen levels can be up to 100 times higher than normal - crucial for supporting your baby’s growth.

In everyday life, oestrogen influences your mood, energy, and focus. Low levels - such as just before your period or during menopause - can lead to irritability, low mood, or brain fog.

Progesterone and its role in women’s health

Progesterone is your natural calming hormone. It rises after ovulation to prepare your body for a potential pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, levels drop and your period begins. Progesterone supports deep sleep, reduces anxiety, and helps you feel calmer and more introspective in the second half of your cycle. It also relaxes the digestive tract, which can sometimes cause bloating or constipation.

Sleep tip: Trouble sleeping before your period may be linked to low progesterone. Reducing stress and including healthy fats - like avocado, olive oil, and nuts - can support this hormone naturally.

Testosterone in women: why it matters

Although often labelled a “male” hormone, testosterone is just as important for women. It’s produced in the ovaries and adrenal glands and supports libido, muscle strength, bone health, and energy levels. A deficiency can cause low sexual desire and reduced stamina. Too much testosterone, on the other hand, can lead to acne, excess hair growth, or irregular cycles - symptoms often seen in PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

Thyroid hormones and the female metabolism

Your thyroid produces T3 and T4 - hormones that regulate your metabolism, body temperature, heart rate, and even your mood. When levels are low (hypothyroidism), you may feel tired, gain weight, or struggle with constipation. When levels are too high (hyperthyroidism), you may feel anxious, experience heart palpitations, or lose weight unintentionally.

About 1 in 8 women will develop a thyroid condition during her lifetime, often during or after pregnancy, or around menopause.

Cortisol and stress: how they affect women’s health

Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. In normal amounts, it helps you wake up, stay alert, and handle challenges. But when stress is chronic, cortisol stays elevated - disrupting your cycle, fertility, sleep, and weight. High cortisol also interferes with your sex hormones. Under prolonged stress, your body goes into “survival mode,” suppressing ovulation, lowering progesterone, and increasing anxiety. This creates a vicious cycle of stress and hormonal imbalance.

Insulin and female hormones

Insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps your body convert sugar from food into energy. When your cells become less sensitive to insulin - known as insulin resistance - it not only affects blood sugar but also raises testosterone levels. That’s why insulin resistance is a key driver of PCOS. Signs include sugar cravings, weight gain around the belly, energy crashes, and irregular cycles.

Pro tip: Always combine carbohydrates with fibre, protein, and healthy fats. This slows down sugar absorption and helps keep insulin levels steady.

LH and FSH: understanding fertility hormones

Luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are produced in the brain and signal your ovaries to act. Together, they regulate egg maturation, ovulation, and the production of oestrogen and progesterone. When LH and FSH are disrupted - by stress, under-eating, PCOS, or over-exercising - ovulation can stop, leading to irregular or missed periods.

Doctors usually measure LH and FSH between day 2 and 5 of your cycle when assessing fertility or hormonal health.

In summary

Hormones fluctuate not only from week to week but also throughout every stage of your life. Understanding what your key hormones do - and how they influence your health - helps you recognise patterns in your own body and seek support when something feels off.

Whether you’re tracking your cycle, trying to conceive, going through menopause, or simply looking for more energy, understanding your hormones empowers you to take better care of yourself.

Key takeaways

• Hormones influence your mood, energy, fertility, and metabolism.

• Oestrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormones, cortisol, insulin, LH, and FSH are the main players.

• Imbalances can be caused by stress, sleep, diet, or life stages such as pregnancy or menopause.

• Small steps - like eating well and reducing stress - help keep your hormones in balance.

References:

Jones, R. E., & Lopez, K. H. (2006). Human reproductive biology. Elsevier Academic Press.

National Cancer Institute. (2019). Characteristics of Hormones | SEER Training. Cancer.gov. https://training.seer.cancer.gov/anatomy/endocrine/hormones.html

Young, W. (2022, April). Overview of the Endocrine System - Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders. Merck Manuals Professional Edition. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/endocrine-and-metabolic-disorders/principles-of-endocrinology/overview-of-the-endocrine-system